Topic: 1930 Johnson V-45 – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 11 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 6 months ago by Buccaneer.

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August 7, 2021 at 11:12 am #244347
Buccaneer
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I’ve already nick-named this Tomahawk purchase the “Titanic”,
as it seemed like getting it out of the trailer would be similar to
raising the said ship from it’s icy depths.

Just looked at the specs. in the manual, and it’s says it only
weighs 120 pounds…… seemed more like 200 to me.

In my beginning research, I’ve seen these motors
referred to as….
Johnson 32, V-45, 26 hp.
I’ve also seen people show them as 32 hp, which I don’t believe.

What is the “32” referring to? MPH?
Is it 45 cc’s per cylinder?

I find no digital manual in my library for these motors, so
if anyone has one, I’d be grateful.
Thanks.

Prepare to be boarded!
- This topic was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by Buccaneer.
- This topic was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by Buccaneer.
August 7, 2021 at 11:26 am #244352
outbdnut2
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The Old Outboard Book shows that the V45 was made in 1931 and 1932, so 32 may be the year and, yes the book shows 26 HP.

Nice find!
Dave
August 7, 2021 at 11:46 am #244353
lyks2tinkr
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Nice acquisition. You have the long tiller too.
I picked up a VR45 earlier this year. They are gravitationaly enhanced so to speak. I thought I saw a spec of 128 lbs somewhere.
I will be picking up a V45 in 2 weeks. I can already see a truss in my future.
I believe the 32 is the HP in its racing trim but they were rated at 26 hp normally.
Since 32 sounded better for marketing they went with that.
They are known for having crankshaft issues as they weren’t hardened well as I’ve been told.
My VR45 looks great but has crank issues. Hopefully the rougher V45 I’m getting will have a better crank.
I thought they started making them in 1929 to compete with the Elto Quads which were tearing up the racing circuit.
August 7, 2021 at 12:05 pm #244354
Mumbles
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Found this in my outboard list.
August 7, 2021 at 1:41 pm #244370
Buccaneer
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I heard from one person at Tomahawk that the crankshafts were known for the
center main crank bearing issues. I would like to hear this one run
at least once, but if the crank is bad, it will be a dandy paperweight!

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August 8, 2021 at 7:38 am #244436
Randy in Tampa
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Somewhere around 30 to 40% of the crankshafts are good,usually it’s not the center main but the crank pins that are bad, The metallurgy wasn’t that good in the beginning and they had a tendency of rusting from sitting also, sometimes they can be grounded and the bearings can be resized. 32 definitely referred to the racing HP . Made in 1929-31 not sure on 1932? I might have a spare crankshaft but I won’t know until I build what I need to, which will be a while because I have other motors ahead of them….

Rotary valve Johnson’s Rule!
- This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by Randy in Tampa.
August 8, 2021 at 7:50 am #244438
Buccaneer
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Thanks for the info Randy. Hopefully my crankshaft is in good enough shape
to at least hear it run for a while. Not sure when I’ll get at this one, but
it should be an interesting project!

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August 8, 2021 at 8:33 am #244443
eltoquad
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The rods will most likely need to be honed also. Finding a place to grind the crank shaft can be a problem as most shops doing crank shaft grinding have grinding wheels too wide to grind the V shaft. The next problem is finding over size rollers (bearings) large enough in the dia. to take up all the looseness from grinding shaft and honing rods to clean up. S rods can be used in the V . If you have an early V it’s best to find roller retainers for crank shaft bearing from a later model as the early motors used very short rollers, 3/8″ I think. Later Vs used 1/2″ rollers I believe and that’s what you want to use.
August 8, 2021 at 9:20 am #244445
Randy in Tampa
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I agree with eltoquad, I rebuild most of my rotary valve motors with half inch roller bearings because they’re more available they were also used in some Harley Davidson motorcycles and can be found in different sizes, I have a source for hunting rods and grinding Crank pins…. May also have some other parts

Rotary valve Johnson’s Rule!
August 8, 2021 at 10:36 am #244450
Buccaneer
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Thanks for the tips, but you’re already spending a lot of my money on it and I haven’t
even wiped off the grease, lol.

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